The Tigers announced on Tuesday that their former Ni-gun manager Akira Ishii died on Monday. He went seventy-three.

Ishii began his pro career with the Hankyu Braves in 1960. He moved on to coaching after a twelve-year playing career. He spent most of his time as a batting coach until Hanshin named him their Ni-gun manager in 1990. He also coached at the amateur level and worked the broadcast booth for Hanshin games.